Bill Text: NJ SJR125 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates the second week of October of each year as "Obesity Care Week" in NJ.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-2)
Status: (Passed) 2020-01-21 - Approved P.L.2019, JR-29. [SJR125 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-SJR125-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Senator RICHARD J. CODEY
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
SYNOPSIS
Designates the second week of October of each year as "Obesity Care Week" in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the second week of October of each year as "Obesity Care Week" in New Jersey.
Whereas, The disease of obesity is a major public health concern as 40 percent of adults in the United States are affected by obesity, with the number of people with severe obesity in the United States continuing to grow; and
Whereas, New Jersey's adult obesity rate is 27.4 percent, up from 17 percent in 2000 and 12.3 percent in 1995, according to "The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America" study released in August 2017; and
Whereas, Experts and researchers agree that obesity is a complex disease influenced by various physiological, environmental, and genetic factors. Those affected by the disease are at higher risk of developing many other health-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and some cancers; and
Whereas, While prevention programs have successfully established the seriousness of the public health crisis posed by obesity, it is also imperative that individuals and families currently affected by the disease receive comprehensive care and treatment; and
Whereas, Studies show that bias against and stigma associated with people affected by obesity among general society and healthcare professionals are significant barriers to effectively treating the disease; and
Whereas, Healthcare professionals, policymakers, patients, and families should regard obesity with the same level of seriousness with which other chronic diseases are regarded; and
Whereas, Research suggests that weight loss of as little as five to ten percent of the total weight of an individual affected by obesity can improve the associated health risks affecting many patients living with obesity and can thereby support the goals of federal and State initiatives to reduce chronic disease, improve health outcomes, and help control healthcare costs; and
Whereas, Healthcare professionals should treat patients with respect and compassion, and should partner with patients to develop comprehensive and individualized approaches to weight loss and weight management that consider all appropriate treatment options, such as reduced-calorie diets, physical activity modifications, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery; and
Whereas, It will take a long-term collaborative effort, which will involve individual, corporate, and institutional partners in all fields taking active roles, to ignite the betterment of obesity care and treatment; and
Whereas,
If the prevalence of obesity continues to increase at the current pace, nearly
50 percent of New Jersey adults are projected to be obese in 2030; now,
therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The second week of October of each year is designated as "Obesity Care Week" in New Jersey to create awareness of the increasing prevalence of obesity, the devastating effects of obesity on people's lives, and to encourage greater action to help decrease the obesity rate in New Jersey and in the nation.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the second week of October of each year as "Obesity Care Week" in New Jersey, and call upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the second week of October of each year as "Obesity Care Week" in New Jersey to create awareness of the increasing prevalence of obesity in American society and the devastating effects of obesity on people's lives, and to encourage healthy living habits which would help to decrease the obesity rate in New Jersey and in the nation.
Obesity is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat that affects 40 percent of adults in the United States and 27.4 percent of adults in New Jersey. Experts and researchers agree that obesity is a complex disease influenced by various physiological, environmental, and genetic factors. Those affected by the disease are at higher risk of developing health-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and some cancers.
While obesity has been successfully established as a serious public health crisis today, it is imperative that individuals and families currently affected by obesity receive comprehensive care and treatment, without being subjected to the bias or stigma that is so often associated with people affected by the disease. Accordingly, healthcare professionals, policymakers, patients, and families should regard obesity with the same level of seriousness with which other chronic diseases are regarded. Healthcare professionals in particular should seek to partner with patients affected by obesity to develop comprehensive, individualized approaches to weight loss and weight management that consider all appropriate treatment options. A long-term collaborative effort involving individuals, businesses, and institutional partners in all fields, would support the betterment of obesity care and treatment. Weight loss of as little as five to ten percent of the total weight of an individual affected by obesity can improve the associated health risks affecting many patients living with obesity. Promoting better, more compassionate obesity care and treatment will not only improve individuals' health, but will also help the federal and State governments meet public health and economic goals.
